"Merlin!" Arthur yelled, covering his eyes. Of course Arthur had chosen that moment to come looking for him. "This is a highly used corridor, not your chambers." Merlin and Gwaine had ceased their kissing, but hadn't moved away from each other. Their bodies had started to react, and it would show if they stepped away.

"Sire. My apologies. I was on my way to check and see how you and the Queen were and if you needed anything before the banquet." His voice was gruff and Gwaine only squeezed his hand on Merlin's hip tighter. The King was clearly agitated, but catching the pair in an alcove, had distracted him.

"Be in my chambers in an hour." Arthur ground out and stalked away. Gwaine pulled Merlin towards his room quickly. They had much to discuss before the feast got underway themselves. Though as soon as the door closed, there wasn't much talking. A little over an hour later, Merlin was kissing Gwaine in the doorway, not wanting to leave, but knowing if he didn't Arthur would be there to drag him, probably to the dungeons.

"Níl mé ag iarraidh dul." Merlin said. [I don't want to go]

"Feicfidh mé tú ag an bhféile. Is fearr a thagann tú anseo tar éis." Gwaine responded. [I'll see you at the feast. You better come here after.] Merlin groaned, leaning in for one last kiss before turning and heading off down the hall. When he got to the royal suites, he wasn't surprised to find Arthur mostly dressed, but looking extremely agitated. Merlin quickly relieved the poor servant who was trying to dress the King, who silently thanked him and ran for the banquet hall. Merlin kept quiet the whole time the King grumbled and dressed. He handed a goblet over the screen to Arthur, who took it and drank deeply.

"You should slow down, Sire. Don't need you drunk before the feast even starts." Merlin finally said, breaking the silence. Arthur glared at him as he came out from behind the screen.

"Merlin, I wanted to tell you, I may have overreacted earlier. Guinevere tried telling me that it wasn't your fault since none of us know the last time you even visited home. So, Merlin, when was the last time you saw your royal kin?" Arthur asked, taking another long drink.

"Erm, well, it's been almost five years since I've seen my mother. So about 11 years since I've seen Aodhan? Yeah, 11 years. I was clan, but I wasn't, not exactly. Being a bastard and all. Aodhan and the others were always friendly enough when I would spend summers with them. The elders weren't fond of me or how Aodhan and I got on and how he always asked my advice. After I turned 16, and he 17, I wasn't allowed back. Aodhan was furious, but there wasn't much he could do at the time. They'd started the contests to determine the next King and didn't want me to interfere, I guess." Merlin said as he clasped the cape gingerly around Arthur's neck.

"I'm sorry, Merlin. That can't have been easy." Arthur looked sincerely apologetic.

"It's alright. I got a letter now and again from Aodhan. They stopped before I came to Camelot though. Mother tried explaining it to me, what was happening, but...it didn't matter. It was another reminder of how...different I was. I wasn't lying when I told you all those years ago that I left home trying to find someplace I could fit in."

"I'm glad you came here, Merlin. I value your counsel and couldn't bear it if you chose to leave to advise another regent." Arthur said, looking ashamed.

"That's what you were worried about?" Merlin looked at his friend then, and saw the worry etched into his face. "Arthur, you dollop-head, I am your manservant. I have had plenty of opportunities to leave Camelot before now, but I chose to stay. Aodhan doesn't need me as an advisor. He has his own, and they are clan. If he alluded to wanting me there, they would take his crown and cast him out. You're my friend. I will stay by your side, as long as you want me here." Merlin told him, adjusting the cape, then reaching up and setting the crown on his King. Arthur let out a sigh, then. Like he had been holding his breath.

"Thank you, Merlin. You always seem to know what to say. Now, let's get to this feast. I'd like to hear some stories about a younger Merlin, as long as I can understand them." Arthur said, smiling for what seemed like the first time in hours. The pair walked down the hall side by side, meeting the Queen at the doors. She gave Merlin a hug when she saw the duo smiling again. Aodhan had been standing back with his clan, watching the interactions. Once the King and Queen entered, he caught up to Merlin before he could go in.

"So, it looks like you are essential everywhere you go, little cousin." Aodhan said.

"I wouldn't say that. But I have made a family here." Merlin shrugged.

"I'm glad. I wish I could have given that to you. An bhfuil eolas acu ar do chuid buanna?" [Do they know of your talents?]

"Bhuel ní go hiomlán. Tá a fhios ag mo leannán, ach níor aimsigh mé an t-am ceart chun é a phlé le mo Rí agus mo Bhanríon." Merlin responded. [No. Well not entirely. My lover is aware, but I haven't found the right time to discuss it with my King and Queen.]

"Ba chóir duit a rá leo. Ní athróidh sé an bealach a thaitníonn siad leat. Dá mba as teaghlach ar bith eile a rugadh tú bheadh ​​áit agat sa chlann. Níl brón orm ach ní raibh mé in ann é sin a shocrú. Anois, féach go bhfeicfimid cén cineál féasta is féidir le Rí Camelot a chur air, sea?" Aodhan said. [You should tell them. It will not change the way they cherish you. If you had been born of any other family you would have had a place in the clan. I'm only sorry I couldn't fix that. Now, let's go see what kind of feast the King of Camelot can put on, yeah?]

"Inseoidh mé dóibh. Tá Arthur ag fáil bháis le scéalta faoi m'óige a chloisteáil, ach beidh ort cuid de na sonraí a fhágáil amach." Merlin said, laughing, drawing the attention of the nearby courtiers. [I'll tell them. Arthur is dying to hear stories of my youth, but you'll have to leave out some of the details.]

Arthur watched and shook his head at his friend. Merlin showed his cousin to his seat and then spent the night serving both Kings. At one point Gwaine had pulled him behind a pillar, stealing a kiss, or several, until laughter broke them apart. Lancelot, Percival, Elyan, Leon, and several other Knights had caught sight of them and couldn't contain their amusement. Merlin's face was bright red, but he stole one last kiss before sending Gwaine back to his table. The next few weeks were spent with Merlin spending as much time as he could with his cousin when they weren't in council meetings. Before Aodhan was set to leave, Merlin decided he would tell his friends of his magic while he had the support there. They met in the council room. It was the clan with King Aodhan, King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, Leon, Lancelot, Elyan, Percival, and Gwaine. Merlin was nervous, and was trying not to show it.

"Alright, Merlin, we're all here. What is it that you find so important to gather this particular group together?" Arthur asked, slightly irritated. King Aodhan put a hand on Merlin's shoulder and came forward.

"Before my little cousin tells you his secret, know this; Were he a member of our clan, he would have been the highest advisor. As it was, his destiny brought him here, to Camelot, to you." Aodhan stepped back then, dropping his hand from Merlin's shoulder. Gwaine winked at him, trying to encourage him.

"I asked Aodhan to stay so I could share something about myself. A secret. Something you deserve to know. I never told you before because your father's views were so ingrained in everything you did, that the right moment never came up." Merlin whispered into his hand and held it out in front so everyone could see. He lowered his fingers until the little flame dancing on his palm was seen by all. "By Uther's laws I should have been drowned at birth. By Cenred's, I owed a lifetime of servitude. Coming here, to Camelot, knowing all of this, I wouldn't have changed a thing." Merlin was watching Arthur and Gwen's faces for their reactions. First he saw fear, then betrayal, then sadness. "I'm sorry I kept it hidden from you."

"You were born with magic?" Gwen asked softly.

"Yes. My mother said my eyes glowed gold for the first week of my life." Merlin answered.

"I didn't think that was possible." Arthur said breathlessly.

"I...am...unique. Even amongst others with magic." Merlin told him. Arthur nodded, but his face was closed off. It was a mask.

"Thank you for telling us, Merlin. I appreciate it. You've given us a lot to discuss. You're dismissed." Arthur said it so detached, that Merlin couldn't hide his flinch. He nodded, bowed his head slightly, and left the room. At least he wasn't being dragged to the dungeons, so that was something. He was anxious to know if this would change how his friends viewed him. He knew if it came to it, he could always depart with the clan and stop in Ealdor along the route they would take home. He decided to take a walk to calm his nerves and went out to the forest. Nature always put him at ease. While on his walk, he let his magic loose. Instead of keeping it bound tight within him, he let it wander freely. The air around him seemed to shimmer, plants were brighter, the fragrance of the forest intensified. He made his way to the clearing he usually called Kilgarrah to, and lay down watching the clouds in the sky.

Emrys

Merlin sat up quickly, and glanced around.

Emrys

He was on his feet and had started walking towards the call. Merlin wasn't really paying attention, just letting his magic guide him, when he came upon the Druids. They bowed their heads to him, when he stood before them.

Please, there's no need for that. He told them through his mind.

We apologize for the intrusion, Emrys. One of our Seer's wished us to thank you. For the time you have worked toward with the Once and Future King, has arrived.

What do you mean? Merlin tilted his head, looking at the Druids, confusion plain on his face. They just smiled back at him, some with tears in their eyes.

Your King and Queen have accepted magic in Camelot. Because of you. When they hold their festival in celebration, you will represent the magical peoples as our King.

Merlin stared at them in shock. He felt himself smiling and laughed, breaking the silence that had enveloped the group. His magic reacted to how happy this news made him and a rush of energy rushed out of him and across the land. He heard a gasp behind him and turned to see his kin.

We will leave you. Before the festival you will need to meet here so we can prepare you to properly be presented. Thank you, Emrys. For all you have done! The Druids bowed to him again, smiling, some with tears flowing freely down their faces, before turning and moving back through the forest.

"Tá súil agam nár chuir mé isteach ar rud ar bith." Aodhan said, coming over to Merlin, watching the Druids retreat. [I hope I didn't interrupt anything.]

"Níor chuir tú isteach. Dealraíonn sé gur inis siad dom an rud a bhí siad ag iarraidh orm a fháil amach." Merlin smiled at his cousin and started walking back toward the clearing. [You didn't interrupt. It seems they told me what they wanted me to know.]

"Dá mbeadh a fhios ag na Seanóirí conas a chaith na Drugaí leat, b'fhéidir go gcuirfí ina luí orthu ligean duit fanacht." [If the Elders knew how the Druids treated you, they might have been persuaded to let you stay.]

"Tá saol maith agam anseo. Murar chaith siad i leataobh mé mar a rinne siad, b'fhéidir nach mbeadh mo chinniúint aimsithe agam. Mo mhuintir." Merlin shrugged. [I have a good life here. If they hadn't cast me aside like they did, I might not have found my destiny. My family.]

"Is cosúil gur fear maith é an Rí Arthur. Tá súil agam bualadh leis arís lá amháin. Bhí sé beartaithe againn imeacht ar maidin. D'fhéadfadh sé sin athrú áfach." Aodhan looked thoughtful. [King Arthur seems a good man. I hope to meet him again one day. We planned to leave in the morning. That may change though.]

"Pleanáilte?" Merlin asked. [Planned?]

"Tá do Rí ag óstáil ceiliúradh agus d'iarr sé orainn fanacht. Bheadh ​​sé sin againn anseo go ceann seachtaine eile." Aodhan had put an arm around Merlin's shoulders as they walked, reminding Merlin of when they were boys. [Your King is hosting a celebration and he has asked us to stay. We would be here for another week.]

"Dúradh liom go mbeadh rud éigin mar sin ag teacht suas. Tá áthas orm go bhfanfaidh tú ar a shon. Geallann sé a bheith an-suimiúil." Merlin grinned, thinking about what the Druids had said. [I was told something like that would be coming up. I'm glad you will stay for it. It promises to be very interesting.]

They walked the rest of the way to the castle in silence. Merlin wished Aodhan a good night and headed off to his chambers. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going and had walked through the Knight's hall where he was rushed into their common room. When he got his bearings again, he was surrounded by the Knights of the Round table, and a few others.

"Uh, hi?" Merlin said, questioningly.

"Merlin!!" Several shouted at the same time excitedly. Others were clapping and whooping. Someone shoved a tankard in his hand, Lancelot had put an arm around him from one side, and Gwaine on his other. This was a very confusing situation for Merlin. Apparently his friends didn't care about him hiding his magic, since they were this excited to see him.

"What's going on?" Merlin asked, smiling.

"Oh, nothing much. Just the King repealing the ban on magic and preparing to host a feast of epic proportions to honor an alliance with your cousin's clan and the Druids." Lancelot told him ruffling his hair. Someone squeezed his backside, causing him to jump and spill some of his drink. His reaction just caused some snickering as Gwaine winked at him. Merlin rolled his eyes.

"So, you're all just celebrating the fact that there's going to be a celebration?" Merlin asked, chuckling.

"That, and the fact that the King isn't going to execute or banish the one person who has been keeping Camelot safe for nigh on a decade now." Lancelot announced. This caused more cheering to go around. Merlin smiled at him, and relaxed at the cheery atmosphere. His head was sure to ache tomorrow, but he didn't much care about that at the moment.